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Food Science and Technology at Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $47,970/yr (-4% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (32% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (130,500 openings/yr)

ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #11 of 25 Food Science and Technology programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Food Science and Technology graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$611K	$604K	$555K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.8x	11.6x	10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.3x	5.2x	4.8x
Probability of Field Employment	43%	40%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	62	61	57

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$51,988

Out-of-state: $116,292 (5.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$57,604

-11% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,750

3.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$70,646

47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Washington State University's Food Science and Technology program produces graduates earning $47,970/yr — within striking distance of the $49,845 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Food Science and Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Food Science and Technology's typical career paths, with 32% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,750 in median debt clears quickly against $47,970 in annual earnings.

At #11 of 25 Food Science and Technology programs, Washington State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $47,970 to $70,646 over five years — a 47% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Washington State University

A 85% acceptance rate means Washington State University is accessible to most applicants, with 21,583 students enrolled in Pullman, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington State University →

Top Career Paths

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980/yr

Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr

Food scientists and technologists $85,310/yr

View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Food Science and Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Washington State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Food Science and Technology at Washington State University?

A score of 61/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Food Science and Technology field.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →